Ten arrested after break-ins at high school store

Times Staff Reports

Friday

Mar 28, 2008 at 12:01 AM

FORT PAYNE — Six adults and four juveniles were arrested in connection with two break-ins this week at the Sylvania High School snack store, DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a press release.Principal Westley King reported to Sylvania police that the snack bar store was broken into about 7 p.m. Sunday. It was broken into again early Wednesday.Police contacted school resource officer Scott Tarrant, who began an investigation at the school. After King offered a $25 reward to anyone with information regarding the break-ins, a student came to the school office offering information that had been overheard at the school.The information led to the residence of a 15-year-old male, Harris said. Permission to search the residence was granted by the juvenile’s mother, and the search of an outbuilding found two boxes of food that had been taken from the store. The 15-year-old was arrested.Information obtained at that residence led officers to another residence on Fourth Avenue in Sylvania, where seven people and a young child were found, Harris said. After speaking to the occupants and receiving permission to search the property, officers found the rest of the stolen food in bags on the back porch, Harris said. Six of the seven people at the residence knew the food was stolen and reportedly had eaten some of it, Harris said.The press release said a 17-year-old female juvenile and the following adults were arrested: Josh Heath Pope, 18, Donna Diane Pope, 19, Norman Kelly Compton, 19, Kimberly Compton, 19, and Crystal Rena Ginn, 18, all of Sylvania. The child at the residence was taken into Department of Human Resources custody.After obtaining more information Wednesday afternoon and night, officers arrested Nick Corey Hill, 18, of Sylvania, and two more male juveniles, ages 15 and 17, according to the press release. All 10 were charged with second-degree receiving stolen property. Additionally, four are expected to be charged with third-degree burglary, Harris said.About $1,000 in food was taken from the store, including cases of chips, ice cream, juice, Fruit Roll-Ups, Scooby snacks, Beef Jerky and Rice Krispies treats.The snack bar window was broken to gain entry in the first break-in. In the second break-in, the boards put up in place of the window were smashed. The six adults are in the DeKalb County jail awaiting bond. The three male juveniles were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Anniston, and the female juvenile was released to a parent.The salvageable food was returned to the school. None of those involved in the incidents are students at Sylvania, Harris said.

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